Saturday August 11, 10:25 a.m.
My parents were in quite a rage this morning....not with each other, but with the upstairs neighbour. The bathroom ceiling right above the toilet was slowly dripping water. Apparently, this was the 3rd time that this has occurred, and the parentals squarely blame it on the guy upstairs. Not sure why since it could also be the pipes in a pretty old building. In any case, Dad went to complain. The guy upstairs also happens to be the part-time caretaker in our building...and unfortunately, he kinda comes across as a bit of the village idiot: he gabs to anybody about anything including himself, and can only talk at one volume....loud. In any case, my parents hate the guy, and the fellow is the type who simply refuses to open the door to anyone when anyone comes knocking. Dad had to get the super to call him up and drag him down here. Of course, what followed was a few minutes of intense argument with the promise from both the neighbour and super that something would be done.
But it's pretty annoying having to do No. 2 when it feels like the ceiling is doing No. 1 right on you. It's probably the slowest form of waterboarding that anyone will ever experience. Right now, there is a bucket right on the commode collecting the tea-coloured drops. Luckily, I'll be heading out to my friend's dance recital in less than an hour.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Night Flight
Saturday August 11, 10:05 a.m.
I was doing some channel surfing on the TV last night when I realized that I hadn't checked in on Turner Classics for some weeks. I did so, and came across this movie called "Night Flight" which had been released in 1933. The information button revealed it starred Lionel Barrymore and Helen Hayes, but I later found it was actually a lot more chock-filled with stars. I was looking at the brave but doomed pilot of this embryonic air service in South America, and in fact, he was played by Clark Gable, several years before he became Rhett Butler. There was one more Barrymore, Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy in it as well. The story struck me as being straightforward....as it usually was back in those days.....intrepid biplane aces getting mail and parcels through treacherous conditions, including a cyclone, while a taskmaster of a boss sends them off no matter what the situation so that the company reaps the rewards. One interesting thing I got from "Night Flight" was about that ruthless president....for such an old movie, his character was pretty darn complex. He was a hard SOB but on losing two of his pilots, he almost lost it in front of one widow; however, in the end, he was back to form...sternly if now a bit guiltily resigned to the fact that there will be deaths on his watch.
But what I also learned when I started looking up "Night Flight" on Wikipedia was that my viewing of the movie was the first time that anyone had seen the movie in 70 years! It did look pretty clean to me when I first switched it on, so my first impression had been that the movie was made far later. Outside of a 2011 festival sponsored by TCM, it hadn't seen the light of day. Putting that impressive point aside though, I didn't particularly find the movie all that remarkable (although future viewings may change my mind). However, I was struck at how the director or cinematographer used light and shadow to create the drama....and this was 1933, some years before "The Maltese Falcon" with Bogie came out.
I was doing some channel surfing on the TV last night when I realized that I hadn't checked in on Turner Classics for some weeks. I did so, and came across this movie called "Night Flight" which had been released in 1933. The information button revealed it starred Lionel Barrymore and Helen Hayes, but I later found it was actually a lot more chock-filled with stars. I was looking at the brave but doomed pilot of this embryonic air service in South America, and in fact, he was played by Clark Gable, several years before he became Rhett Butler. There was one more Barrymore, Robert Montgomery and Myrna Loy in it as well. The story struck me as being straightforward....as it usually was back in those days.....intrepid biplane aces getting mail and parcels through treacherous conditions, including a cyclone, while a taskmaster of a boss sends them off no matter what the situation so that the company reaps the rewards. One interesting thing I got from "Night Flight" was about that ruthless president....for such an old movie, his character was pretty darn complex. He was a hard SOB but on losing two of his pilots, he almost lost it in front of one widow; however, in the end, he was back to form...sternly if now a bit guiltily resigned to the fact that there will be deaths on his watch.
But what I also learned when I started looking up "Night Flight" on Wikipedia was that my viewing of the movie was the first time that anyone had seen the movie in 70 years! It did look pretty clean to me when I first switched it on, so my first impression had been that the movie was made far later. Outside of a 2011 festival sponsored by TCM, it hadn't seen the light of day. Putting that impressive point aside though, I didn't particularly find the movie all that remarkable (although future viewings may change my mind). However, I was struck at how the director or cinematographer used light and shadow to create the drama....and this was 1933, some years before "The Maltese Falcon" with Bogie came out.
Friday, August 10, 2012
They're Back!
Friday August 10, 9:52 a.m.
My parents are back from their little Las Vegas fun with their buddies. So I get to hear the sounds of bickering once more. It was rather nice to have the apartment for my own for a few days at least....although I didn't quite need all of the food that Mom made sure I had access to. Y'know, I actually did a fair job of cooking during my 17 years living in Japan.
As for how my parents described Sin City, there is no reason for me ever to head over to that tourist trap. I have zilch interest in gambling, I was never a guy who went for shows or musicals, I can get my buffets here, and I have a certain aversion to paying $18 for a bowl of udon. They told me that there was still a ton of Japanese tourists scouring the place, though. For me, I'll be happy to see Lost Wages (my old high school history teacher liked to describe the city that way) through "Ocean's Eleven" or the occasional rerun of "CSI".
Unlike the 40-degree weather over there, it's been a very un-summer-like week here in Toronto. Or I should say that it's been a ferociously normal summer....the high temperature has only been hovering around 25. Believe me, there are probably millions of Japanese who would apply for permanent residency here if they could, considering the Hell-like conditions in their country. And considering all of the political turmoil in The Diet and the rising consumption tax from 5 to 10 percent, some of them may just do so....mind you, our HST is 13%, so we Canadians can be forgiven if we giggle a bit and say, "Quit your whining!" But all joking aside, it is scary to witness a tax rate skyrocketing to two times the original within 2 years.
My weekend will be a full one. I head out to see The Dancer's performance tomorrow at the Toronto Buddhist Temple and then there is CG's BBQ out in the wilds of Mississauga. He asked if I could bring an appetizer but when I offered to bring munchies instead (my culinary talents supply palatable stuff just for me), he said that his family had plenty of those and that I should just bring myself. Ain't happening....I never go to a person's house empty-handed. Just wouldn't be kosher. I'll have to find something around Union Station to bring over before I jump onto the Go Train. Problem is that The St. Lawrence Market is closed on Sundays.
My parents are back from their little Las Vegas fun with their buddies. So I get to hear the sounds of bickering once more. It was rather nice to have the apartment for my own for a few days at least....although I didn't quite need all of the food that Mom made sure I had access to. Y'know, I actually did a fair job of cooking during my 17 years living in Japan.
As for how my parents described Sin City, there is no reason for me ever to head over to that tourist trap. I have zilch interest in gambling, I was never a guy who went for shows or musicals, I can get my buffets here, and I have a certain aversion to paying $18 for a bowl of udon. They told me that there was still a ton of Japanese tourists scouring the place, though. For me, I'll be happy to see Lost Wages (my old high school history teacher liked to describe the city that way) through "Ocean's Eleven" or the occasional rerun of "CSI".
Unlike the 40-degree weather over there, it's been a very un-summer-like week here in Toronto. Or I should say that it's been a ferociously normal summer....the high temperature has only been hovering around 25. Believe me, there are probably millions of Japanese who would apply for permanent residency here if they could, considering the Hell-like conditions in their country. And considering all of the political turmoil in The Diet and the rising consumption tax from 5 to 10 percent, some of them may just do so....mind you, our HST is 13%, so we Canadians can be forgiven if we giggle a bit and say, "Quit your whining!" But all joking aside, it is scary to witness a tax rate skyrocketing to two times the original within 2 years.
My weekend will be a full one. I head out to see The Dancer's performance tomorrow at the Toronto Buddhist Temple and then there is CG's BBQ out in the wilds of Mississauga. He asked if I could bring an appetizer but when I offered to bring munchies instead (my culinary talents supply palatable stuff just for me), he said that his family had plenty of those and that I should just bring myself. Ain't happening....I never go to a person's house empty-handed. Just wouldn't be kosher. I'll have to find something around Union Station to bring over before I jump onto the Go Train. Problem is that The St. Lawrence Market is closed on Sundays.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Fortitude!
Thursday August 9, 10:05 a.m.
Well, Canada's Women's Soccer Team got its medal, scoring the lone goal in extra time at the very end of the Bronze Medal match over France! For some reason, the media has been saying that this was redemption for the controversial loss against the United States in the semi-finals. I don't think redemption is quite the accurate word since Canada did nothing wrong to redeem itself for. I'd say that this was more fortitude on Sinclair and company. In any case, the two countries I'm most familiar with will be represented on the podium later today.
Speaking of fortitude, PM Noda of Japan will have to reach deep down for that inner strength since he may be facing his biggest test in his role as the leader of the country. He's facing a non-confidence motion from the opposition, and two more of his party will be defecting. Most probably, the motion will be defeated but it's still a matter of dying from a thousand paper cuts.
Ah, Japan did quite well at the Olympics yesterday as well. Two of the women wrestlers got their Gold medals. It looks like both Japan and Canada will reach their expectations.
Well, Canada's Women's Soccer Team got its medal, scoring the lone goal in extra time at the very end of the Bronze Medal match over France! For some reason, the media has been saying that this was redemption for the controversial loss against the United States in the semi-finals. I don't think redemption is quite the accurate word since Canada did nothing wrong to redeem itself for. I'd say that this was more fortitude on Sinclair and company. In any case, the two countries I'm most familiar with will be represented on the podium later today.
Speaking of fortitude, PM Noda of Japan will have to reach deep down for that inner strength since he may be facing his biggest test in his role as the leader of the country. He's facing a non-confidence motion from the opposition, and two more of his party will be defecting. Most probably, the motion will be defeated but it's still a matter of dying from a thousand paper cuts.
Ah, Japan did quite well at the Olympics yesterday as well. Two of the women wrestlers got their Gold medals. It looks like both Japan and Canada will reach their expectations.
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Editing
Wednesday August 8, 12:01 p.m.
Spent most of the morning in my pyjamas editing a translation assignment. Whew....man...pharmaceuticals. Glad I wasn't actually the translator. Would've gone nuts. In any case, I've sent it over to the boss so hopefully, it passes muster.
Been listening/watching the latest round of Olympics coverage. The Women's Wrestling was pretty good, although Carol Huynh has lost to Hitomi Obara. It's always tough when Japan and Canada are up against each other. But apparently Canada has picked up a couple of more medals.
Well, I'm done for the day although I've gotta step out for some bank business later this afternoon.
Spent most of the morning in my pyjamas editing a translation assignment. Whew....man...pharmaceuticals. Glad I wasn't actually the translator. Would've gone nuts. In any case, I've sent it over to the boss so hopefully, it passes muster.
Been listening/watching the latest round of Olympics coverage. The Women's Wrestling was pretty good, although Carol Huynh has lost to Hitomi Obara. It's always tough when Japan and Canada are up against each other. But apparently Canada has picked up a couple of more medals.
Well, I'm done for the day although I've gotta step out for some bank business later this afternoon.
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Marvin Hamlisch The Entertainer
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| courtesy of Officer Phil from Flickr |
There have been quite a few celebrity deaths over the past couple of weeks. Chad Everett of "Medical Center" fame and George Hemsley from "The Jeffersons" have passed away.
Then there was the news this afternoon that composer Marvin Hamlisch died at the age of 68. I was surprised by the age...still plenty young to go so soon. He was younger than either of my parents. I hadn't seen the man in a few decades but he was a fairly common fixture on TV during the 70s. Hamlisch gained a certain amiability from the audience not just for his works on projects like "The Sting" and "A Chorus Line", but also for coming off in front of everybody as this likable nebbish...a musical Woody Allen, so to speak. He had this nonstop nervous banter whenever he was behind the keys in front of an audience. Nothing exudes sympathy more than open neurosis.
I've always like "The Entertainer" and I always liked this entertainer.
Solitary Tuesday
Tuesday August 7, 10:38 p.m.
After the long Simcoe Day long weekend. I've had my first day of solitude. The parents are out with their buddies in Las Vegas for the next few days. It's kinda nice living alone again even if it's just until Thursday. However, my mother....being Mom....ensured that I would be kept well-fed without me having to lift a finger. She stuffed so much food in the form of TV dinners and other fare in the freezer and fridge, it almost looks like she was prepping me for hibernation.
But in a way, I was kinda hibernating since I basically cocooned all day. Didn't leave the apartment at all, except for getting the mail. I got my first cheque from my translation gig. Not too bad at all. Strangely enough, my boss there contacted me for the first time in 2 weeks asking me to do an editing job tomorrow for a few hours. And I discovered a call on the message machine from the school asking if I could warp down there today to teach a class....on less than 2 hours notice. Mind you, the staffer called at about 11 a.m. For some reason, I never heard the call despite the fact that I was only in my bedroom at that time....only discovered the message past 1 p.m. In any case, my policy is to never accept on-the-day classes in any case. In terms of planning and execution, it's just asking for trouble...at least for me.
Canada seems to be having all sorts of bad luck at the Olympics. The Canadian Women's Soccer Team lost out of getting into the Finals due to some controversial calls, a Canadian boxer was eliminated from the quarter-finals due to some strange judging decisions, and Simon Whitfield literally fell out of the Triathlon from a crash while he was making the switch from swimming to cycling. Not sure if The Great White North peeved off some higher deity.
However the good news is that Nadeshiko Japan, that nation's women's soccer team will be playing for Gold against the US on Thursday. I can only imagine that there will be a lot of bleary-eyed folks in The Land of the Rising Sun staying up or waking up in the wee hours to catch this one. But as far as I'm concerned, the darlings of Japanese sports have already accomplished the mission that they are now recognized as a force to not be contended with lightly. Gold or Silver, Nadeshiko has already won.
After the long Simcoe Day long weekend. I've had my first day of solitude. The parents are out with their buddies in Las Vegas for the next few days. It's kinda nice living alone again even if it's just until Thursday. However, my mother....being Mom....ensured that I would be kept well-fed without me having to lift a finger. She stuffed so much food in the form of TV dinners and other fare in the freezer and fridge, it almost looks like she was prepping me for hibernation.
But in a way, I was kinda hibernating since I basically cocooned all day. Didn't leave the apartment at all, except for getting the mail. I got my first cheque from my translation gig. Not too bad at all. Strangely enough, my boss there contacted me for the first time in 2 weeks asking me to do an editing job tomorrow for a few hours. And I discovered a call on the message machine from the school asking if I could warp down there today to teach a class....on less than 2 hours notice. Mind you, the staffer called at about 11 a.m. For some reason, I never heard the call despite the fact that I was only in my bedroom at that time....only discovered the message past 1 p.m. In any case, my policy is to never accept on-the-day classes in any case. In terms of planning and execution, it's just asking for trouble...at least for me.
Canada seems to be having all sorts of bad luck at the Olympics. The Canadian Women's Soccer Team lost out of getting into the Finals due to some controversial calls, a Canadian boxer was eliminated from the quarter-finals due to some strange judging decisions, and Simon Whitfield literally fell out of the Triathlon from a crash while he was making the switch from swimming to cycling. Not sure if The Great White North peeved off some higher deity.
However the good news is that Nadeshiko Japan, that nation's women's soccer team will be playing for Gold against the US on Thursday. I can only imagine that there will be a lot of bleary-eyed folks in The Land of the Rising Sun staying up or waking up in the wee hours to catch this one. But as far as I'm concerned, the darlings of Japanese sports have already accomplished the mission that they are now recognized as a force to not be contended with lightly. Gold or Silver, Nadeshiko has already won.
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